Favorite Game Console

[technology4617]

What is your favorite game console? Tell us so we can stalk you somehow! It can be by any manufacturer or from any generation.

If we're just going by native games, then my favorite console is the PS2 Slim, since it has tons of great games, some of which are still popular today. If we count backwards-compatibility, then I would have to change my answer to the 60GB fat PS3, since it runs PS2 games perfectly (with a progressive scan output), as well as playing PS1 and PS3 games. It also has the ability to create infinite memory cards.

[Bradandez]

Nintendo 64

[Master]

Funnily enough, we don't have a topic for this already, I'm actually kindof shocked that is the case, given the popularity of said topic.
Anyways, a topic like this does make me slightly nervous, I must admit, given the potential for fanboyism, but I trust that reason and rationality will be retained.

So, my favourite is probably the PS2, it was such a sweet spot in terms of what it could do in its prime, play PS1 AND PS2 games, in addition to DVDs, it was perfect for what we needed back in those days. And it's left quite the legacy as well.

[Adsolution]

Nintendo 64

Yup.

[MrBadGuy]

Xbox 360, probably Xbox One when it comes out.
It's the one I use the most, and has lots of awesome features and great games, therefore my favourite
Oh and the best gamepad known to mankind.

[Adsolution]

I'd probably say that my order goes:

1 - N64
2 - GameCube
3 - Xbox 360

(I would elaborate if I weren't on my phone)

[OCG]

PS1 from Classic era
PS3 from modern era
3DS for handhelds.

[Snagglebee]

Classic Era: PS2
Modern Era: PS3 (if PS4 is BC then probably PS4)
Handhelds: 3DS (but only with working flashcard for emulation)

[OCG]

I would not consider PS2 a classic. It is from ssme Gen as Xbox and we all know games on Xbox looked nothing like classics (with few exceptions)

[Snagglebee]

Well I consider everything below 6th generation game console as classic.

[MrBadGuy]

Classic Era: PS2
Modern Era: PS3 (if PS4 is BC then probably PS4)
Handhelds: 3DS (but only with working flashcard for emulation)

Hmmm backwards compatibility is very important to you? I must say I'm looking forward to the prospect of backwards compatibility through the cloud, thereby making it available to those who want it without compromising the technology in the new console, very interesting idea indeed.

[Master]

Concurred, though I'd like it if companies wouldn't be so averse to offering up official emulation and the like through a service, their knowledge of their hardware makes it more likely for them to come to come up with more accurate emulators as opposed to current ones which rely on reverse engineering.

[foultzboyz]

Sega Saturn - amazing console for 2D games and Genesis fans in particular (including a wealth of Genesis ports, from Sonic to Columns to OutRun to Road Rash...), the golden age of Sega arcade games, the best of the light gun games, some of the most amazing (and frustrating) shoot-em-ups, the console to get for 2D fighters (a whole lot of awesome Capcom and SNK releases), and released back in the days when 3D games were still built on fun instead of theatrics.

[MrBadGuy]

Concurred, though I'd like it if companies wouldn't be so averse to offering up official emulation and the like through a service, their knowledge of their hardware makes it more likely for them to come to come up with more accurate emulators as opposed to current ones which rely on reverse engineering.

I think the problem there is allocating money and resources to something which probably won't generate much revenue at all.

[Bradandez]

The Nintendo 64 is my favorite since it has the best controller design and feel to it, a great library of games, the logo is iconic, the system itself was designed nicely, and it's just a fun console.

[Master]

Concurred, though I'd like it if companies wouldn't be so averse to offering up official emulation and the like through a service, their knowledge of their hardware makes it more likely for them to come to come up with more accurate emulators as opposed to current ones which rely on reverse engineering.

I think the problem there is allocating money and resources to something which probably won't generate much revenue at all.

I understand, me being idealistic is all.

[MrBadGuy]

Nothing wrong with idealism, in fact I think it's one of the most redeeming features of our species (not usually in this context of course )

[Rayfist]

My favorite systems in order:
1.) Playstation
Playstation is my favorite console of all time, and not just for nostalgic reasons, but simply because it had some of the best games ever made along with some of the best trilogies. It contained the best version of Rayman 1 (some prefer Saturn which I'm alright with), Crash Bandicoot 1-3, Spyro 1-3, Resident Evil 1-3, Darkstalkers, Tekken 1-3, and the STREET FIGHTER FUCKING ALPHA SERIES. The Ps1 had some of the best games for me, fighting games and platforming are my two favorite genres, it was a gold mine for them on the PS1.

2.) Super Nintendo
The Super Nintendo is absolutely amazing, and home to some amazing underrated games, such as Earthbound, not only that, but even the highly loved games such as Super Mario World, or Link to the Past are absolutely stunning. I highly preferred this over the genesis during that console war. SNES proved it didn't need blast processing to be so fantastic, and Super Mario World and Yoshi's Island are stunning example to prove that. The Donkey Kong Country trilogy as well I found extremely breath-taking.

3.) Playstation 2
Yes, while the PS2 was probably the weakest while up against the Gamecube and Xbox, it undoubtedly, hands down, had the best library from that generation. PS2 had just so many great games, and similar to the PS1 had some of the BEST trilogies, Ratchet and Clank 1-3, Jak 1-3, Sly 1-3, oh and DON'T GET ME STARTED ON DEVIL MAY CRY series, one of my favorite beat em ups of all time, so absolutely incredible. It even included the exclusive Rayman Revolution- while not the best port of R2, is a very good version nonetheless.

4.) Gamecube
As much as I love my N64, Gamecube just takes the cake for me, I think while third party wise, it did lack, it was one of Nintendo's most underrated systems, the graphics for the Gamecube were ahead of its time, it had some revolutionary games for me, and two of my favorite Zelda games, Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, the Gamecube had the best version of Smash Bros, and hell, Capcom seemed very friendly with the gamecube unlike they are with the Wii U, the support for the Gamecube Capcom delivered is crazy, Viewtiful Joe, Resident Evil 4, Okami, and the very underrated, P.N. 03. The Gamecube may have looked kiddie on the outside, but it was quite great when delivering games.

And now I'll say my two favorite handhelds:

1.) Gameboy Advance SP
As much as I love my 3DS, I am not going to lie, I love my GBA SP, never has something been able to fit in my pocket so well and actually be this fun to take out. The GBA SP was a major improvement from the normal GBA, adding a backlight, so you could FINALLY see in a dark room, the GBA made for very comfy play, not only that but again, it was simply a gold mine for games, it contained Pokemon Emerald, Rayman 3 (GBA), and many other great games, including a lot of fantastic snes ports. One thing the GBA SP lacked on greatly however, are fighters, which it shames me to say, however I highly prefer playing Fighters on consoles. The GBA is by far, the most comfortable portable and fun portable I've ever used, the DS and 3DS don't match the quality of how comfy this thing was, and it's fantastic game library.

2.) Nintendo 3DS
Yes, I actually prefer my 3DS to my normal DS, and for good reason. While the DS had many great games, a lot of the games that attempted 3D, ended up coming out... kind of ugly, whether it be bad port, it still wouldn't come out nice. THE ONLY DS game to demonstrate good 3D, was the Mario 64 remake, a lot of the other games may have just been ported badly (Rayman DS anyone?), I now have 11 games for my 3DS and I can safely say, I actually prefer my 3DS to my DS, while the 3DS library is still growing, there have been some breathtakingly awesome games, Kid Icarus: Uprising, a much more solid port of Rayman 2, a very good port of Street Fighter IV, Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D, and the recently released Pokemon X/Y. A lot of the games on 3DS I think have surpassed DS, the DS as I've said, I just found to have ugly 3D games, I could understand the process was early, but the 3DS's 3D (keep in mind I'm not referring to the popping out 3D, just 3D in general), looked amazing, clear, and the way the DS should have been in my opinion.


Also Adsolution, I'd like to see you elaborate when you can.

[Master]

Hm, remind me to finish of my own Jak retrospective that I started.
Also, I think I should adopt your style and detail my five favourite consoles also sometime, though seeing as it's late and I can't formulate my thoughts as effectively, I'll leave it be.

[Disionity]

Erm... This is quite a difficult decision to make as I have enjoyed many consoles for many different reasons, but likely candidates for said position would probably be:
PlayStation 2
Nintendo 64
Gamecube